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Spotlight on Catholic and Orthodox churches in Russia

28/01/2013

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(Vatican Radio) The Russian government has asked parliament to amend a bill that would
set jail terms for "offending religious feeling". The measure was proposed by lawmakers
after last year's Pussy Riot protest at a Moscow cathedral. Critics have said it may
harm Jews, Muslims and others outside the Russian Orthodox Church. But one of the
lawmakers who sponsored the bill, said a phrase seen to favour the Russian Orthodox
Church would be removed and the legislation would protect all religions operating
legally in Russia.

Meanwhile,

The UK director of Aid to the Church in
Need, Neville Kyrke-Smith, recently travelled to Russia and visited a number of regions
where ACN is providing pastoral support both for the Russian Orthodox Church and the
Catholic Church.

He spoke to Lydia O’Kane about how the Orthodox and Catholic
churches in the country are being brought closer by common concerns.

“It
seemed to me there had been a sort of sea change partly because of the common threats
we had.” He goes on to say that increasing Islamic fundamentalism and secularism in
the country, is a cause for concern for both communities.